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Catawba County possesses a diverse economy
with a strong manufacturing climate coupled with extensive retail
and residential developments.
Outlook Americas has ranked three Catawba County municipalities in
the top five Best Manufacturing Small Towns in the Country.
Southern Business and Development ranked the Hickory
Metro 3rd in its Small Market category for Top
Deals and Hot Markets. Just
some of the diversified manufacturing sectors that call Catawba
County home include machining and metal working, plastics, cable and
furniture.
Catawba County’s manufacturing prowess is supported and accentuated
by a rich geography and diverse lifestyle that has brought the area
national recognition. The Hickory Metro area was named the
10th
Best Place to Live and Raise a Family in the United States by
Reader’s Digest. Business North Carolina magazine
also reported that Catawba County’s largest city,
Hickory, was the 8th best city in the state for its
quality of life. Forbe's Magazine rated the
Hickory Metro area 3rd in the nation for lowest
business costs. And most recently, MSNBC
has recognized Hickory as the
14th Hottest Housing Market in
the Nation.
Catawba County is also renowned as a center of the region’s retail
shopping, entertainment and cultural life. A leading retail mall,
furniture mart, convention center, movie theaters, retail shopping
centers and hundreds of restaurants are also major attractions for
visitors from throughout the region.
Education and technical training continues to be a high priority for
Catawba County. The Hickory Metro Higher Education Center is a joint
education center developed to provide a unique collaborative
learning experience to the Hickory, North Carolina MSA. Appalachian
State University, Lenoir-Rhyne College, and Catawba Valley Community
College have become partners in the Center to serve the needs for
graduate, undergraduate, non-credit certificate courses, research,
and specialized workforce training.
The HMHEC will provide the Greater Hickory Metro with unparalleled
economic development opportunities. Not only will the Center allow
the County new promise to recruit and retain industry, it will offer
students and workers access to groundbreaking new educational
experiences. |
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